Marriages of adults 25-34 dropped 10 percent

GAYLORD — Some recently released results of the 2010 census revealed the astounding fact that new marriages in the United States are at their lowest point in 100 years.

Marriages of adults 25-34 dropped 10 percent in the last 10 years. Marriages of adults of all ages dropped from 57 percent in 2000 to 52 percent in 2009.

In addition, prior to the 1990s, the number of marriages between those who were high school graduates or dropouts was higher than those with college degrees. That trend has reversed. Speculation is that the better educated were hit later with the unemployment increases that began in the early 1990s and could afford marriage more than the less educated.

Although various factors may be responsible for the decrease in marriage, the most prevalent mentioned is an economy that has been worsening over the last 10 years.

The Herald Times decided to check with a couple of people knowledgeable about area marriages to see if the census demographics hold true for Otsego County, a community that has obviously been hit by the economy, but one that is very family-oriented.

Lynn Branch, chief deputy clerk of the Otsego County Clerk’s Office, was willing to research the data on applications for new marriages over the last decade.

“The numbers have risen and fallen over the last 10 years, but there has not been a steady decline,” she reported.

According to Branch, the number of new marriages in 2000 was 198, compared to new marriages in 2009 which numbered 170. The highest number of marriages, 206, occurred in 2001, and the lowest, 168, in 2003. The number of applications for 2010, with three-quarters of the year over, are 149.

“Though the economy probably has caused a slight decrease of marriages in the county, it has also caused a slight increase,” said Branch. “We’ve had couples from the homeless shelter, couples with children who’ve lived together for years, coming in wanting a license because they can’t get into low-cost housing unless they’re married.”

Trisha Keskine, owner of the Lasting Memories Bridal Boutique, 132 W. Main St., provides a full line of clothing for bridal parties, along with invitations and other wedding necessities.

“Sales have definitely dropped in the last two years,” she reported. “But the year before that, I had my best year ever. I don’t think my drop in sales necessarily means a drop in marriages. Because of the economy, a lot of couples are holding smaller affairs, like backyard weddings, instead of having big expensive weddings.”

The feedback from the county clerk’s office and the bridal shop owner suggests, despite the ebb and flow of new marriages over the decade, that Otsego is still a family-oriented community, which places value on the commitment of marriage despite the economy. Contact Lorene Parshall at 732-1111 or lorene@gaylordheraldtimes.com